policy
Wollongong City Council Rates Structure Update and Effects on Illawarra Household Budgets
Wollongong residents will face revised annual council rates from July 2026 under the local implementation of state housing affordability reforms, with changes tied directly to property valuations across suburbs including Figtree and Port Kembla.
How we reported this
Wollongong City Council has adopted adjustments to its 2026-27 rates structure as part of the NSW housing supply affordability reforms. The changes apply to all rateable properties in the local government area and recalculate charges using updated land valuations completed in 2025.
Cost of living pressures have intensified in the Illawarra through higher energy bills and rental increases. The council's move coincides with ongoing industrial shifts at the BlueScope steelworks and development of the Port Kembla renewable energy zone, both of which influence local employment and housing demand.
Changes to property charges
Under the revised structure, rates for a typical detached house in central Wollongong will be calculated on the new valuation base rather than the previous fixed component. Households in outer suburbs such as Dapto and Unanderra will see their bills reflect recent land value rises recorded by the NSW Valuer General. The council budget papers record that the total rates revenue target for 2026-27 stands at $142 million, allocated across waste services, road maintenance and community facilities.
Local advocates note that pensioner households receiving the state rates rebate will continue to have 50 per cent of their bill covered, up to the annual cap set by the NSW government. Families with mortgages may find the adjusted rates add between $8 and $15 to their fortnightly outgoings once the new notices are issued in August.
Forward timeline
Rate notices will be posted from 1 July 2026, with the first quarterly instalment due by 31 August. Residents can apply for payment plans through the council's online portal or in person at the administration centre on Burelli Street. The legislation requires the council to review the structure again in 2027 after the next round of valuations.
Further details on individual assessments will be published on the council website once the final valuation roll is certified by the NSW Office of Local Government.